FINAL TALLY: Team Philadelphia Brings Home 50 Gold Medals from Gay Games 9


The final medal count from Gay Games 9 in Cleveland and Akron, Ohio is in, and, according to Team Philadelphia chair Bob Szwajkos, Philly had it’s most-awarded year yet.

Our athletes competed in 11 sport competitions—from basketball and rodeo to softball and track and field—bringing home a grand total of 70 medals. That includes 50 golds (counting members of teams), 11 silver, nine bronze.

Throughout the week I worked to keep track of all the winners. Among them were Anna Aagenes, who brought home gold after gold after gold in the 5K, 800m and more. All three of our softball teams, Philadelphia Fusion, the Fairmount Fillies, and the Honeybadgers, won gold in each of their respective competitions. Philly Frontrunners sprinter Mudhillun MuQaribu scored a whole collection of medals: gold in his age group in the 10K, bronze in the 5K, and silver in the 1/2 marathon. Bowlers Doug Scheidig & Paul Tryanowski won silver medals in the Division A doubles competition. Figure skater Thom Mullins won six gold and one silver in a variety of competitions, like solo dance, freestyle (no axle), and spotlight solo. But that only scratches the surface. Learn more about the week’s individual winners here, here, and here.

“It’s unbelievable,” says Szwajkos, obviously ecstatic that his last Gay Games as chair of Team Philadelphia went out on such a high note. “Mission accomplished! Team Philadelphia’s success at this year’s Gay Games demonstrated how working together can create lasting friendships and unsurpassed memories. To everyone who shared this mission with me, thank you.”

Many congrats to all our athletes. You made us proud!